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Find similar grantsCreative Accelerator Fund is sponsored by Illinois Arts Council Agency (IAC). The Creative Accelerator Fund provides crucial support to individual artists with a goal of strengthening the creative workforce that composes a significant portion of Illinois' economic activity. It is a taxable award.
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Creative Accelerator Fund Find Your Regional Program Director FY25 Creative Accelerator Fund Grantees The Illinois Arts Council’s (IAC) Creative Accelerator Fund (CAF) provides crucial support to artists with a goal of strengthening the creative workforce that composes a significant portion of Illinois’ economic activity. CAF recognizes and supports the vital role that artists play as builders and innovators in their communities.
By investing in their practice and professional growth, the fund not only enriches the lives of artists but also encourages broader community engagement and investment, leading to a vibrant cultural landscape and fostering connections among residents. This is a $10,000 taxable award. All applications must be submitted via the applicant's IAC Salesforce account .
The deadline to apply will be in October 2026. Each IAC region has its own allocation and will select recipients from the applications submitted in that region. Additionally, IAC has transitioned to compliance-based evaluation criteria and does not evaluate the quality of artistic work or artistic accomplishments.
The CAF randomized applicant selection is done in partnership with the Illinois State Lottery. Individual artists with an active and sustained practice. (see guidelines for full definition) At the time of application, artists must: Be established as an Illinois resident prior to October 14, 2025.
Be able to include a work sample created by you during 2024-2026. Be able to include a work sample created by you during 2023 or prior. Not be currently enrolled in a degree-obtaining program, including a college or university in any undergraduate or graduate program.
Ph. D. candidates need to have completed their coursework by the application deadline to be eligible.
Read the Creative Accelerator Fund Guidelines . Use Chrome as your browser when working in Salesforce . Once logged into Salesforce , complete updates to the Applicant Information tab first.
Questions? Watch the webinar, participate in one of the drop-ins , or contact your Program Director. Does the application demonstrate the individual artist has an active and sustained practice?
Is the application complete? Is the artist eligible to receive funds from the State of Illinois? The CAF randomized applicant selection is done in partnership with the Illinois State Lottery.
Each IAC region has its own allocation and will select recipients from the applications submitted in that region. Webinars & Drop-In Sessions A pre-recorded webinar is available that reviews application tips and best practices, including how to use the agency’s online Salesforce grant platform. For a complete listing of IAC workshops, visit the IAC's Workshops & Webinars page .
Drop-ins are one-hour Webex meetings with IAC program staff. Come with any questions you have about the grant program or application and get answers in real time. Registration is not required.
Click the link below to join the meeting when it is time.
Friday, September 11 th at noon Monday, September 21 st at 5pm Thursday, October 1 st at 2pm Tuesday, October 13 th at 10am Guidelines released: August 20, 2026 Grant portal opens for applications: September 2, 2026 Application Deadline: October 14, 2026, at 11:59pm Review & Notifications: October – December 2026 Grant Period: no sooner than January 1, 2027 – August 31, 2027 Final Report Due: September 30, 2027 How does IAC define an “Individual Artist with an active and sustained practice”?
An individual working in arts, crafts, design, dance, digital media, film/video, literature, music, performance, photography, theater, visual arts, folk and traditional arts, or community-based arts. By “active and sustained,” we mean that you are currently committing time to practicing your art form that you have practiced since at least 2023.
You do not necessarily need to derive significant income from your work in the arts (though it’s also fine if you do). It is also acceptable if your art form has changed over those years. The first submitted work sample needs to have been completed in 2024, 2025, or 2026.
The second submitted work sample needs to have been completed in 2023 or prior. Who is not eligible to apply? Individuals enrolled in any degree-obtaining program (including high school, bachelor, or master's-degree programs) at the time of application or during the award period.
(Ph. D. candidates need to have completed their course work by the application deadline to be eligible.)
Organizations or schools. This award is for individuals only. Prior CAF award recipients from FY25 or FY26.
What if I need reasonable accommodations to apply? Reasonable accommodations for application procedures can be provided with a minimum request time of 3 business days before the deadline. I have a question: who should I reach out to?
If you have questions on the grant, please email your Program Director. You can use the Program Director finding tool if you are not sure who your Program Director is. If you need Salesforce assistance, please email Jasmine Roberson at jasmine.
roberson@illinois. gov . 115 S.
LaSalle St. , Suite 2202 Chicago, IL 60603-3804 ( map ) Toll-free: (800) 237-6994 Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Para información en Español llame al Illinois Arts Council al (312) 814-4993 Personal Identity Info Protection Policy Statewide Departments & Agencies
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Individual artists with an active and sustained practice, aged 21 or older, established as an Illinois resident prior to October 14, 2025. Must be able to include work samples from 2024-2026 and 2023 or prior. Not currently enrolled in a degree-obtaining program. Ph.D. candidates need to have completed coursework by the application deadline. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows $10,000. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
Applications for Creative Accelerator Fund are due October 14, 2026. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, and final submission checks.
Creative Accelerator Fund is funded by Illinois Arts Council Agency (IAC). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Illinois. If your organization operates elsewhere, check the official notice for location requirements.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
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